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Windshield wiper blades
Check the wiper blades for wear at least twice a year or when they seem
less effective. Substances such as tree sapand some hot wax treatments
used by commercial car washes reduce the effectiveness of wiper blades.
Checking the wiper blades
If the wiper blades do not wipe properly, clean both the windshield and
wiper blades using undiluted windshield wiper solution or a mild
detergent. Rinse thoroughly with clean water. To avoid damaging the
blades, do not use fuel, kerosene, paint thinner or other solvents.
Changing the wiper blades
It is recommended that wiper blades are renewed before winter.
To replace the wiper blades:
1. Fold back the wiper arm and
position the wiper blade at right
angles to the wiper arm.
2. To remove, press the retaining
clip(A) to disengage the wiper
blade, then pull the blade down
toward the windshield to remove it
from the arm.
3. Install the new wiper blade on the
arm and press it into place until a click is heard.
Rear window wiper blade
Refer toWindshield wiper bladesin this section and follow the same
procedure given for checking and changing the wiper blades.
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MESSAGE CENTER
With the ignition in the ON position,
the message center, located on your
instrument cluster, displays
important vehicle information
through a constant monitor of
vehicle systems.You may select
display features on the message center for a display of status preceded
by a brief indicator chime. The system will also notify you of potential
vehicle problems with a display of system warnings followed by a long
indicator chime.
Selectable features
Reset
Press this control to select and reset
functions shown in the INFO menu
and SETUP menu.
Info menu
This control displays the following
control displays:
•Odometer/Compass
•Tripodometer/Odometer/Compass
•Distance to Empty
•Average Fuel Economy
•TripElapsed Drive Time
Odometer/Trip odometer
Refer toGaugesin theInstrument Clusterchapter.
Compass display
The compass reading may be affected when you drive near large
buildings, bridges, power lines and powerful broadcast antenna. Magnetic
or metallic objects placed in, on or near the vehicle may also affect
compass accuracy.
Usually, when something affects the compass readings, the compass will
correct itself after a few days of operating your vehicle in normal
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![LINCOLN AVIATOR 2003 Owners Manual 8. Press the RESET control to start
the compass calibration function.
9. Slowly drive the vehicle in a
circle (less than 5 km/h [3 mph])
until the CIRCLE SLOWLY TO
CALIBRATE indicator changes to
CALIB LINCOLN AVIATOR 2003 Owners Manual 8. Press the RESET control to start
the compass calibration function.
9. Slowly drive the vehicle in a
circle (less than 5 km/h [3 mph])
until the CIRCLE SLOWLY TO
CALIBRATE indicator changes to
CALIB](/manual-img/15/6861/w960_6861-87.png)
8. Press the RESET control to start
the compass calibration function.
9. Slowly drive the vehicle in a
circle (less than 5 km/h [3 mph])
until the CIRCLE SLOWLY TO
CALIBRATE indicator changes to
CALIBRATION COMPLETED. This
will take upto three circles to complete calibration.
10. The compass is now calibrated.
Average fuel economy (AFE)
Select this function from the INFO
menu to display your average fuel
economy in liters/100 km or
miles/gallon.
If you calculate your average fuel
economy by dividing liters of fuel used by 100 kilometers traveled (miles
traveled by gallons used), your figure may be different than displayed for
the following reasons:
•Your vehicle was not perfectly level during fill-up
•Differences in the automatic shut-off points on the fuel pumps at
service stations
•Variations in top-off procedure from one fill-up to another
•Rounding of the displayed values to the nearest 0.1 liter (gallon)
1. Drive the vehicle at least 8 km (5 miles) with the speed control
system engaged to display a stabilized average.
2. Record the highway fuel economy for future reference.
It is important to press the RESET control after setting the speed
control to get accurate highway fuel economy readings.
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Trip elapsed drive time
Select this function from the INFO
menu to display a timer.
To operate the Trip Elapsed Drive
Time preform the following:
1. Press and release RESET in order
to start the timer.
2. Press and release RESET to pause the timer.
3. Press and hold RESET for 2 seconds in order to reset the timer.
Miles to empty (DTE)
Selecting this function from the
INFO menu will give you an
estimate of how far you can drive
with the fuel remaining in your tank
under normal driving conditions.
Remember to turn the ignition OFF when refueling your vehicle.
Otherwise, the display will not show the addition of fuel for a few
kilometers (miles).
The DTE function will display LOW FUEL LEVEL and sound a tone for 1
second when you have low fuel level indicated on the fuel gauge.
Setup menu
Press this control for the following
displays:
•System Check
•Units (English/Metric)
•Autolock
•Easy Entry/Exit
•Reverse Mirrors
•AutolampDelay
•Oil change
•Language
•Rear Park Assist (while in reverse)
•AWD Locked (if equipped)
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System check
Selecting this function from the
SETUP menu causes the message
center to cycle through each of the
systems being monitored. For each
of the monitored systems, the
message center will indicate either an OK message or a warning message
for three seconds.
Pressing the RESET control cycles the message center through each of
the systems being monitored.
The sequence of the system check report and how it appears in the
message center is as follows:
1. FUEL LEVEL
2. WASHER FLUID LEVEL
3. OIL LIFE IN XX%
4. PARK ASSIST
5. ENGINE TEMP
6. OIL PRESSURE
7. BRAKE FLUID LEVEL
8. CHARGING SYSTEM
Units (English/Metric)
1. Select this function from the
SETUP menu for the current units
to be displayed.
2. Press the RESET control to
change from English to Metric.
Autolocks
1. Select this function from the
SETUP control for the current
display mode.
2. Press the RESET control to turn
the autolocks ON or OFF.
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Warning messages that have been reset are divided into three categories:
•They will reappear on the display every minute from the reset.
•They will reappear on the display ten minutes from the reset.
•They will not reappear until an ignition OFF-ON cycle has been
completed.
This acts as a reminder that these warning conditions still exist within
the vehicle.
Warning display Status
Check park assist Warning displays when R (reverse)
gear is selected.
AdvTrac ON (if equipped) Displays for 4 seconds
AdvTrac OFF (if equipped)
Change Oil Soon
Temporary AWD locked
(vehicles equipped with
AdvanceTraconly)
AWD lock OFF AWD auto ON
(vehicles equipped with
AdvanceTraconly)
Door ajar Liftgate ajar Warning returns after cycling through
the system sequence
Low fuel level
Check charging system
Low brake fluid level
Low oil pressure
Transmission overheated
Check transmission
Check engine temperature
Reduced engine power
Stopengine safely
AWD disabled locked (vehicles
equipped with AdvanceTrac
only)
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Warning display Status
Low washer fluid level Warning returns after the ignition key
is turned from OFF to ON.
Check AdvTrac (if equipped)
Check AWD (vehicles equipped
with AdvanceTraconly)
AWD Disabled (vehicles
equipped with AdvanceTrac
only)
Check fuel cap
Oil change required
CHECK PARK ASSIST.Displayed when the transmission is in R
(Reverse) and the park assist does not operate properly. See your dealer
as soon as possible.
ADVTRAC ON (if equipped).Displayed when the AdvanceTrac is ON.
ADVTRAC OFF (if equipped).Displayed when the AdvanceTrac is
OFF.
TEMPORARY AWD LOCKED (vehicles equipped with
AdvanceTraconly).Displayed when the AWD system is updating its
status of being locked.
AWD LOCK OFF and AWD AUTO ON (vehicles equipped with
AdvanceTraconly).Displayed when the AWD is system is completely
cooled down from being overheated.
DOOR AJAR LIFTGATE AJAR.Displayed when a door or liftgate is
not completely closed.
CHECK ENGINE TEMPERATURE.Displayed when the engine
coolant is overheating. Stopthe vehicle as soon as safely possible, turn
off the engine and let it cool. Check the coolant and coolant level. Refer
toEngine coolantin theMaintenance and specificationschapter. If
the warning stays on or continues to come on, contact your dealer as
soon as safely possible.
REDUCED ENGINE POWER.Displayed when the engine is
overheating. Stopthe vehicle as soon as safely possible, turn off the
engine. If the warning stays on or continues to come on, contact your
dealer as soon as safely possible.
STOP ENGINE SAFELY.Displayed when the engine is overheating.
Stopthe vehicle as soon as safely possible, turn off the engine. If the
warning stays on or continues to come on, contact your dealer as soon as
safely possible.
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AWD DISABLED LOCKED (vehicles equipped with AdvanceTrac
only).Displayed when the AWD system begins to overheat placing itself
in the autolock mode. If the warning stays on or continues to come on,
contact your dealer as soon as safely possible.
LOW FUEL LEVEL.Displayed as an early reminder of a low fuel
condition.
CHECK CHARGING SYSTEM.Displayed when the electrical system is
not maintaining proper voltage. If you are operating electrical accessories
when the engine is idling at a low speed, turn off as many of the
electrical loads as soon as possible. If the warning stays on or comes on
when the engine is operating at normal speeds, have the electrical
system checked as soon as possible.
LOW BRAKE FLUID LEVEL.Indicates the brake fluid level is low and
the brake system should be inspected immediately. Refer toChecking
and adding brake fluidin theMaintenance and specifications
chapter.
LOW OIL PRESSURE.Displayed when the engine oil pressure is low. If
this warning message is displayed, check the level of the engine oil.
Refer toEngine oilin theMaintenance and specificationschapter for
information about adding engine oil.
TRANSMISSION OVERHEATED.Indicates the transmission is
overheating. This warning may appear when towing heavy loads, city
driving, when driving in a low gear at a high speed for an extended
period of time or due to a loss of transmission fluid. Stop the vehicle as
soon as safely possible, place the shift lever into P (Park) or N (Neutral)
and raise the engine RPM. If this does not cool the transmission turn off
the engine and let it cool. If the warning stays on or continues to come
on, contact your dealer for transmission service as soon as possible.
Continued operation in this condition may cause internal transmission
damage.
CHECK TRANSMISSION.Indicates the transmission is not operating
properly. If this warning stays on, contact your dealer as soon as possible
to prevent additional transmission damage. Refer to the instrument
cluster warning lamps in theInstrument clusterchapter.
LOW WASHER FLUID LEVEL.Indicates the washer fluid reservoir is
less than one quarter full. Check the washer fluid level. Refer to
Windshield washer fluidin theMaintenance and specifications
chapter.
CHECK ADVTRAC (if equipped).Displayed when the AdvanceTrac
system is not operating properly. If this message is displayed on the
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